SJ Berwin nudged ahead of Freshfields to walk off with 57% of the votes and the award for Private Equity Team of the Year, compared with 56% for Freshfields.

SJ Berwin’s private equity group has had a rocky time following the departure of three fund formation partners early this year, but the practice remains dominant for European fund launches. By the end of the year, its continental clients will have raised more than €30bn, a €10bn increase on last year.